ALMANAC, the band featuring former RAGE guitarist Victor Smolski, will release its sophomore album, “Kingslayer”, on November 24 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was recorded at HeyDay Studios in Wuppertal, Germany and once again features cover artwork by Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák (ACCEPT, DESTRUCTION).

The second trailer for the disc is available below.ALMANAC stands for a new dimension of symphonic power metal, featuring three singers Jeannette Marchewka (LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA), Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM) and David Readman (PINK CREAM 69).
In March 2016, ALMANAC unleashed its acclaimed debut album, “Tsar”, followed by a European tour along with ORDEN OGAN, as well as a European headlining tour earlier this year. “Our second strike is complete,” says Smolski. “‘Kingslayer’ is the logical follow-up to ‘Tsar’, just more compact, heavier and faster. The experience now under our belts gained from our many live experiences, including the two tours and festivals, has been fully implemented in the studio. The band have grown closer and stronger, you can feel this unified energy within the new tracks. We took a lot of time and gave our very best. ‘Kingslayer’ is a crafted metal album with a lively power sound!”“Kingslayer” track listing:
01. Regicide02. Children Of The Sacred Path03. Guilty As Charged04. Hail To The King05. Losing My Mind06. Kingslayer07. Kingdom Of The Blind08. Headstrong09. Last Farewell10. Red Flag
The official video for the song “Losing My Mind” can be seen below.Smolski comments: “This song is a new chapter for ALMANAC. It’s a mixture of different vocal styles, heavy and groovy drop tuning guitar riffs and orchestral power with catchy melodies! It was a lot of fun to try new things when producing the new songs and it was well worth it!”
Regarding the video, Victor says: “When we discussed filming our new music video ‘Losing My Mind’ at a Moravian castle, I had no idea that we would have the entire newly renovated area of a huge baroque mansion, including its unique French-style park at our disposal. For every band, the size of the stage is very important, and here I found myself completely taken aback. We could choose any of the dozens of rooms and adjust it according to our needs. We started filming early in the morning and ended long after midnight. But the result is more a short film than a music video. All thanks to the truly amazing film location — Holesov chateau.”
Screenwriter and director Marek Dobes says: “It is always good to know the members of the band as well as possible before shooting. I have been working with Victor since he collaborated with RAGE. We shot together the clip for ’21’ which installed them back to the first music video league. Later I was in charge of presenting ALMANAC in a short promotional documentary made during one of their first international concerts. at which time I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the other members of the group. Even then, I realized they were personalities I can show in a music video not only as musicians but also as actors, which is not as common as you would think. A dramatic role cannot be played by everyone. And whenever you build a story around the members of a group, you take a risk. But I’m glad I decided to do it, all four members of ALMANAC were born for the camera and film lights.”Pavel Plch, who plays the lead role of deceived husband and who choreographed the fight scenes, said:”In the past, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on video clips such as NIGHTWISH‘s ‘Sleeping Sun’, and I’ve fully exploited my previous experiences for the ALMANAC music video. I was surprised by the fact that the cameraman decided to record the duel scene with a distortion lens, which we had to adapt to the whole concept of a duel. The result, however, is worth the work. For me, this ALMANAC music video belongs within the top ten projects that I could ever help on as a choreographer. Maybe even in the top five, due to the fact that only one single sword broke in my hand, despite all the increased fighting efforts in the battle scene.”

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